Tension has flared at Lucknow University after rival groups clashed over the offering of namaz at a 200-year-old mosque situated within the campus, prompting authorities to step up security and appeal for calm.The dispute centres on the Lal Baradari mosque, a structure dating back to the early nineteenth century, located inside the university’s premises in Uttar Pradesh’s capital. The row escalated when a group of individuals gathered to offer Friday prayers at the site, drawing objections from another group that argued the campus should remain a neutral academic space without religious activities beyond established arrangements.
University officials confirmed that police were deployed around key entry points and near the mosque following heated exchanges between the two sides. Senior officers from the Lucknow police commissionerate were seen monitoring the situation, and barricades were placed to prevent large assemblies. Authorities said no major injuries were reported, though minor scuffles and sloganeering created a charged atmosphere.
Vice-Chancellor Alok Kumar Rai urged students and local residents to maintain peace, stating that the university administration was examining the legal and historical status of the mosque and any prior permissions related to congregational prayers. He said the institution’s priority was to ensure that academic activities continued without disruption and that no group should take the law into its own hands.
The mosque, believed to have been built during the Nawabi era, predates the establishment of Lucknow University in 1920. Local historians note that several structures within the sprawling campus reflect architectural influences from the period when Awadh was under the rule of the Nawabs. Over the decades, the mosque has been used intermittently for prayers, largely by university staff and nearby residents, though formal documentation regarding its management has been a matter of debate.
Those supporting the continuation of namaz at the site argue that it is a place of worship with historical continuity and that offering prayers there does not infringe upon the secular character of the university. Representatives from local Muslim organisations said the mosque has existed long before the university and that peaceful worship should be permitted under constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of religion.
Opponents contend that regular congregational prayers could alter the campus environment and potentially lead to communal tensions. Some student groups maintained that while individuals are free to practise their faith privately, institutional spaces should not become venues for organised religious gatherings unless explicitly sanctioned by the administration.
The controversy has drawn reactions from political figures across the spectrum. Leaders from the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh have called for strict adherence to campus rules and have urged the university to clarify its position. Opposition parties have accused authorities of allowing the issue to escalate and have emphasised the need to uphold minority rights while preserving harmony.
Police officials stated that preventive measures were taken under standard protocols to avoid any breach of peace. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which restricts unlawful assembly, was reportedly considered in sensitive zones around the campus to deter large gatherings. Officers engaged in dialogue with community representatives to defuse tensions.
Legal experts say the dispute may hinge on questions of property ownership and the terms under which the land and structures were integrated into the university estate. If the mosque is classified as a waqf property or retains an independent religious status, that could influence administrative decisions. At the same time, universities as public institutions possess regulatory authority over activities within their boundaries, particularly where safety and order are concerned.
The episode reflects a broader national pattern in which historical religious sites located within public institutions or government-controlled areas have become flashpoints. Analysts note that such disputes often combine questions of heritage, identity and administrative oversight, making resolution complex. They caution that localised disagreements can quickly acquire a political dimension, especially in a state as electorally significant as Uttar Pradesh.
Students interviewed on campus expressed mixed views. Some said the university should facilitate dialogue and issue clear guidelines to prevent misunderstandings. Others voiced concern that the row could distract from academic priorities, including examinations and research schedules.